74 'rude' foreigners barred from entering PH in 2017

ABS-CBN News

Arriving passengers wait for their turn at the Immigration counter at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Raoul Esperas, ABS-CBN News/file photo

MANILA - At least 74 foreigners were not allowed to enter the Philippines in 2017 for disrespecting Immigration officers, the Bureau of Immigration said Tuesday.

"The entry and stay of foreigners in the country is not a right but a mere privilege. Thus, they (foreigners) ought to show respect and courtesy to immigration officers upon their arrival in our ports of entry," Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Some foreigners were blacklisted after they left the country for being rude to "subport officers," he added.

Under a memorandum order issued in 2001, foreigners may be denied entry to the country should they "show disrespect or make offensive utterances to symbols of Philippine authority."

Rude foreigners will also be blacklisted by the Philippines, but they can appeal his or her inclusion in the list by "apologizing for his conduct" or by "citing meritorious reasons," Morente said.

"This is done to teach these arrogant and discourteous foreigners the lesson that ours is a sovereign country whose authority they should respect," he said.